Athletes of Month recognized

Students from Milton, Kings Ridge, Roswell

From left: Brandon Beach, of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce; Will Beecham, of Roswell High School; Emily Velez, of Milton High School and Grayson Byrd, of Kings Ridge Christian School along with Eric Douglas and Mike Haynes of XL212.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — XL212 announced the Student-Athletes of the Month for May 2014.

“This award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of deserving Student-Athletes in the greater North Fulton area based on exceptional athletic accomplishments, extraordinary academic prowess, and a commitment to civic action” said Eric Douglas XL212 President.

The awards were presented at the May North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Enterprise Breakfast at Kings Ridge Christian School.

The Female Student-Athlete of the Month is Emily Velez, a sophomore lacrosse player from Milton High School.

For the season, she had 48 goals, 21 assists, and 9 ground balls, including 4 goals and 1 assist in the State Championship Game.

She was twice named South Player of the Week and received Honorable Mention for the All-State team while playing for the Eagle’s back to back Georgia State Championship teams.

Milton finished the 2014 season 19-3, and has not lost to a team in Georgia since 2009.

This year marks five consecutive years, and the ninth championship in the last 10 years, for the Milton Lady Eagles Lax team and Coach Tim Godby, a previous winner of the XL212 Coach of the Year.

“She is a gifted athlete and well liked among her peers,” said Godby. “She has accomplished a lot as a sophomore and we are looking forward to having her for 2 more years in our program.”

On the boy’s side, Co-Student-Athletes of the Month were recognized.

Grayson Byrd is a senior baseball player from Kings Ridge Christian School.

He led his team to a 26-4 record and the school’s first ever State Championship. Byrd, a shortstop, was the team’s leadoff hitter with a .473 batting average, 3 homeruns, 35 RBI, 33 runs scored, 17 stolen bases, and 52 total hits. Byrd finished the season in dramatic fashion hitting a three run home-run in the State Championship game in his last at bat as a high school player.

He has received national recognition for his accomplishments and was selected to the 17-under Team USA Baseball. He will be continuing his education on a baseball scholarship at LSU next year.

Off the field Byrd has been a dedicated student while serving the school and community. He has participated in Kings Ridge mission trips to Nashville, New Orleans, and Gainesville. He has served as a leader for middle school students as well.

“He is an unbelievably talented baseball player and he is an outstanding kid,” Head Coach Jason Couch said. “I have enjoyed coaching him as much any other player in my 14 year coaching career.”

The other Male Co-Student-Athlete of the Month is Will Beecham, a junior lacrosse player from Roswell High School.

He had 246 face-off wins on the season and has a win percentage among the highest in the state to go with 146 ground balls. Beecham helped lAthletes of Month recognized

Students from Milton, Kings Ridge, Roswell ead his team to a 17-3 record and the Lacrosse State Championship for Boys class 6A.

Beecham has made Honor Roll all three years of high school, has a 3.7 GPA, and is a member of the National Honor Society. He has been involved with lacrosse team community service projects and Relay for Life.

“Will is our face off middie,” Roswell Lacrosse Coach Alex Chrzanowski said. “It takes a selfless person to play this position. He embraced it. He has taken younger players under his wing and works with them, so they can reach their full potential.”